Day 0

Several years ago I decided it was time to lose weight. I have struggled with this area of my life from the time I was young. I was 29 years old, had a kindergarten-aged daughter and wanted to be a better example of what discipline and health looked like for my daughter.

Fast forward a little over 9 months. I had lost nearly 100 lbs and was looking and feeling better than I had in a long time. I was in a size of clothing that I hadn't been able to wear since my freshman year of High School and promised to NEVER "go back."

4 years, a life journey with some unexpected turns and a nearly impossible-to-imagine desination and over 100 lbs later, I am beginning the journey to health again.

When I was 29, I lost weight because I wanted to look better, I wanted to be "cooler" and I wanted to be a little healthier. It was mostly because of the exterior. I have realized though, that this journey really has to be about more than just outside looks. I need to feel better about myself and I need to feel better.

I am nearly 35 now and am starting to feel the consequences of a life lived very obese. I fortunately have no "real" health problems yet and would like to keep it that way...and maybe ward them off completely.

So...here is my journey to health that I will be walking...

I have not felt well for awhile. Not sick...not really symptomatic...simply not felt well...

I do need to mention my wife is taking this journey with me...

Because I have not felt well, I have been doing some research and have decided to cut two "foods" out of my diet. I will be embarking on a journey of eating a gluten free and dairy free diet.

I am not going "on a diet" to lose weight. I am changing my diet because I believe it will be better for me and I will be a healthier version of me. I want to get to a point where I am mentally making the choices that are best for me because they the are the best for me and not because I don't want to cheat on this relationship I have called a diet.

I am planning to chronicle at least the first 60-days of this journey. I may or may write about my specific meals for the day. I may or may not write about my weight/weight loss. I will definitely discuss the emotions I encounter during this journey and will discuss my victories and struggles.

My goal after 60 days is for this to truly become a lifestyle change for me. That I won't just be losing weight and dieting, but truly making decisions based on the health of my body and truly managing and stewarding what I have been given to manage for the time I am alive.

And so I begin walking the journey to health...